More Customs horrors (Canada this time)

[crashdeamon]

YEah it does happen i was going to fly once and i was rambomly searced going through the gates i took my gun as my cary on in a locked case and i was asked to open my stuff up. the only thing i can say is decLARE your stuff before going through anything

 

[Buddha 3]

Custom people are allowed pretty much anything if they 'suspect' there is the chance of some dodgy stuff being transported in an item you're carrying. For instance, they are allowed to drill holes in your shoes to check and see if you're carrying dope in the heels of your shoes. They don't even need a reason to see you as a suspect, they could just be having a bad hairday. However, over here in Holland, if it turns out you are not Escobar the druglord's right hand man, they have to refund the damages caused (although this is a long and tedious thing to get organised). I can't imagine Canadian, or any other country's laws to be much different, unless you're living in some military junta banana republic.

 

[Mark]

Customs

I really can't believe all this **** this guy has gone through ...sure there are some customs guys with too much time on there hands but having travelled to Canada 3 times often bringing home more markers than I left with I think I can comment
The last time I went over I declared everything I had at this end (uk) not a single problem one quick look and all done
when I arrived in Canada 'cos my flight arrived early the customs pulled me over went through everything and when abroad you only answer when asked so when asked "what was in the other bag" and I said a "Paintball Marker".....wow the guy thought it was christmas....but I had everything disasembled (no gas source or barrel only an autococker by the way) and paintball mags in the SAME !!! bag, No dissasembly No screws damaged, he just made quick phone call and informed me that " I may have to comply with future canadian regs to having the marker registered to me". (when is this happening ? any canadians here who can tell me pls?) I was then on my way not before the customs guy wiped my passport and driving license with a cloth and tested the cloth for drugs !!! all I might add in front of me....oh and of course no drugs found.
I have had arseholes on the airplane check-in staff cause me problems but with all of the security/customs etc I have had only small delays but always went through with everything intact. Oh and 3 trips to the World Cup in Florida as well and minor delays, also several trips over the border into the States from Canada to just be asked what I was doing and telling them and what I was carrying just to end up being waved through..............so I suspect the story that started this thread is just that.......a story!

Mark
UK Cougars


edited to correct some spelling lol

 

[Emulous]

canadian here

if you're going to raid Canada I'll be hiding in the bushes with my team ready to defend my homeland!! *jokes*.

Here's a little story about customs officers that will make you smile (or not, if you're a customs officer).
A guy I know had some problems bringing some items into Canada from the US. One of the US customs officers was very rude to him so he went back the next day and clipped him on US soil from the Canadian side (with his marker, not a real gun). He hopped in his truck and got out of there quick.
stupid of him but still kind of finny.

Emulous

Ps hello everybody, I'm new!

 

[Tyger]

I was only stopped once going into Canada. But, becasue I knew the law concerning airguns better tahn the Customs person did. This pissed them off so much they charged me taxes on my clothing and jerseys, claiming that I would sell my underwear in Canada.

Now I fly in, declare it all, and explain in PC terms that my "Paint Markers" are for competition sports, and they don't bug me anymore. Tehn again, the JT bags help with that illusion of being an athlete...

-Tyger

 

[KillerOnion]

Ah, very good. You do have the advantage somewhat of being close enough to Canada to know their laws and procedures. Myself and Sammy live in Alabama, and he had no foreknowledge of what to do nor could he have anticipated the situation.

Perhaps you could write an article of what to do for international travel in PGI? Many would benefit from it if you would.

 

[Wookie]

What Buddah 3 said....

Is very true. In the UK they are allowed to take apart almost anything if they want to. Customs don't need a search warrent to enter a house, they can just come straight in. Baically, they have more power than the Police.

It has been known for them to completely dismantle cars to look for drugs before and they only have to put it back together again if they don't find anything. From what I have been told by people in the know, they _always_ find something. Strange that, that way they don't have to pay for ruining your car/marker/house/whatever.

I guess that is what happens when you don't have people watching over your shoulder like the police have.

And of course, they collect VAT, so we hate them even more for that.

Wookie